Massachusetts school removes ban on hair braid extensions

Updated 8:38 am, Saturday, August 12, 2017

MALDEN, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts charter school that came under fire for what some students and parents considered a racist policy of banning hair braid extensions has quietly removed the rule.

The handbook for 2017-2018 at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School no longer bans hair extensions, hair that's more than two inches in thickness or height, or hair coloring.

The attorney general's office in May told the school its dress code appears to violate laws against racial discrimination.

The issue came to light when the parents of twin 15-year-old black girls said their daughters were punished for wearing extensions, while white students hadn't been punished for violations of hairstyle regulations.

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School administrators have said hair extensions and other banned styles were distracting to students.